The formation of G-quadruplex structures within the nuclease hypersensitive element (NHE) III{sub 1} region of the c-myc promoter and the ability of these structures to repress c-myc transcription have been well established. However, just how these extremely stable DNA secondary structures are transformed to activate c-myc transcription is still unknown. NM23-H2/nucleoside diphosphate kinase B has been recognized as an activator of c-myc transcription via interactions with the NHE III{sub 1} region of the c-myc gene promoter. Through the use of RNA interference, we confirmed the transcriptional regulatory role of NM23-H2. In addition, we find that further purification of NM23-H2 resultsmore » in loss of the previously identified DNA strand cleavage activity, but retention of its DNA binding activity. NM23-H2 binds to both single-stranded guanine- and cytosine-rich strands of the c-myc NHE III{sub 1} and, to a lesser extent, to a random single-stranded DNA template. However, it does not bind to or cleave the NHE III{sub 1} in duplex form. Significantly, potassium ions and compounds that stabilize the G-quadruplex and i-motif structures have an inhibitory effect on NM23-H2 DNA-binding activity. Mutation of Arg{sup 88} to Ala{sup 88} (R88A) reduced both DNA and nucleotide binding but had minimal effect on the NM23-H2 crystal structure. On the basis of these data and molecular modeling studies, we have proposed a stepwise trapping-out of the NHE III{sub 1} region in a single-stranded form, thus allowing single-stranded transcription factors to bind and activate c-myc transcription. Furthermore, this model provides a rationale for how the stabilization of the G-quadruplex or i-motif structures formed within the c-myc gene promoter region can inhibit NM23-H2 from activating c-myc gene expression.« less

This report investigates whether the Myc protein activates transcription of the human prothymosin {alpha} gene as it does in rat. The results indicate that Myc does not activate transcription; rather, it appears that the prothymosin {alpha} promoter and downstream elements are buffered so as to respond poorly to transient fluctuations in transcription factors which regulate other genes. 59 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.

Liver X receptor (LXR) paralogues {alpha} and {beta} (LXR{alpha} and LXR{beta}) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor family and have oxysterols as endogenous ligands. LXR activation reduces hepatic glucose production in vivo through the inhibition of transcription of the key gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of G6Pase gene expression by LXR. Both T0901317, a synthetic LXR agonist, and the adenoviral overexpression of either LXR{alpha} or LXR{beta} suppressed G6Pase gene expression in H4IIE hepatoma cells. However, compared to the suppression of G6Pase expression seen bymore » insulin, the decrease of G6Pase mRNA by LXR activation was delayed and was blocked by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. These observations, together with the absence of a conserved LXR-binding element within the G6Pase promoter, suggest an indirect inhibition of G6Pase gene expression by liver X receptors.« less

The authors mapped the DNase I- and micrococcal nuclease-hypersensitive sites present in the 5' end of the human apolipoprotein B (apo-B) gene in nuclei from cells expressing or not expressing the gene. Four DNase I-hypersensitive sites were found in nuclei from liver-derived HepG2 cells and intestine-derived CaCo-2 cells, which express the apo-B gene, but not in HeLa cells, which do not. These sites are located near positions -120, -440, -700, and +760 base pairs relative to the transcriptional start site. Undifferentiated CaCo-2 cells exhibited another site, near position -540. Six micrococcal nuclease-hypersensitive sites were found in nuclei from HepG2 andmore » CaCo-2 cells, but not in HeLa cells or free DNA. These sites are located near positions -120, -390, -530, -700, -850, and +210. HepG2 cells exhibited another site, near position +460. Comparison of the DNA sequence of the 5' flanking regions of the human and mouse apo-B genes revealed a high degree of evolutionary conservation of short stretches of sequences in the immediate vicinity of each of the DNase I- and most of the micrococcal nuclease-hypersensitive sites.« less

The treatment of human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells with 12-0 tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is associated with induction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) transcripts. The study reported here has examined TPA-induced signaling mechanisms responsible for the regulation of TNF gene expression in these cells. Run-on assays demonstrated that TPA increases TNS mRNA levels by transcriptional activation of this gene. The induction of TNF transcripts by TPA was inhibited by the isoquinolinesulfonamide derivative H7 but not by HA1004, suggesting that this effect of TPA is mediated by activation of protein kinase C. TPA treatment also resulted in increased arachidonic acid release. Moreover, inhibitorsmore » of phospholipase, A/sub 2/ blocked both the increase in arachidonic acid release and the induction of TNF transcripts. These findings suggest that TPA induces TNF gene expression through the formation of arachidonic acid metabolites. Although indomethacin had no detectable effect on this induction of TNF transcripts, ketoconazole, an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, blocked TPA-induced increases in TNF mRNA levels. Moreover, TNF mRNA levels were increased by the 5-lipoxygenase metabolite leukotriene B/sub 4/. In contrast, the cyclooxygenase metabolite prostaglandin E/sub 2/ inhibited the induction of TNF transcripts by TPA. Taken together, these results suggest that TPA induces TNF gene expression through the arachidonic acid cascade and that the level of TNF transcripts is regulated by metabolites of the pathway, leukotriene B/sub 4/ and prostaglandin E/sub 2/.« less